The Washington Redskins are the latest NFL team to gamble on Brandon Meriweather. On Thursday, The NFL Network reported, the Redskins signed the free-agent safety to a two-year, $6 million deal.

Meriweather played for the Chicago Bears last season. He was a first-round draft pick of the New England Patriots in 2007.

Brandon Meriweather gets a fresh start with the Redskins. (AP Photo)

The Redskins need safety help with starter LaRon Landry likely to depart as a free agent. The Redskins also parted with safety Oshiomogho Atogwe.

Despite the fact Meriweather went to consecutive Pro Bowls with the Patriots after the 2009 and '10 seasons because of dynamic playmaking ability, his undisciplined play within Bill Belichick’s defensive scheme caused him to be released before the 2011 season.

During the 2007 draft, Meriweather slipped to No. 24 overall partly because of character concerns stemming from his involvement in a shooting and an on-field brawl during his senior year at the University of Miami (Fla.).

The Patriots cut Meriweather at the end of last year's training camp. He then signed with the Bears, but he was a disappointment with the Bears, losing his starting job early in the season.

The Redskins need help after at safety after cutting the underperforming Atogwe on Monday. The team also didn't re-sign Landry, who is recovering from an Achilles injury and became a free agent this week.